What does the family court committee do?
The committee meets three times per year to discuss current issues facing family magistrates and propose improvements to the operation of the family court and family magistracy.
The committee drafts and approves publications about the family court including consultation responses, briefings and reports.
Current priorities
The committee wants to improve the operation of the family court by:
- reducing conflict and encouraging mediation in family cases,
- ensuring magistrates hear an adequate proportion of public law cases, and
- ensuring family courts are safe and secure for all court users.
Appointment to the committee
Vacancies on the committee are advertised in the summer each year. Appointment is based on merit and achieving balance on the committee. Candidates are put forward by the chair of the committee to the MA policy board who have final approval of appointments to committees.
Committee members
- Chair: Tracy Sortwell JP, Cambridgeshire
- Deputy Chairs: Sara Pye JP, Nottinghamshire and Helen Jones JP, South West London
- Bob Harper JP, Wolds and South Yorkshire
- Nicholas Haynes JP, Gwent
- Harvey Nash JP, West Sussex
- Bert Provan JP, South and South East London
- Gill Rice JP, Birmingham
- Nicholas Holt-Kentwell JP, North & West Cumbria
- Phil Beauchamp JP, North & East Devon
- Paul Taylor JP, North Essex
- The MA’s national chair and deputy chairs
More information
If you have any queries regarding this committee, please contact Adam Chaddock, Policy and Research Officer.